







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| I don't know, probably put it in the bin. | |
| How is your cat? | |
| See you Mike, hope to see you again. | |
| Well this is how it is... do you want to see upstairs? | |
| How are you? | |
| Of course, there are 4 girls, all uni students from Germany. | |
| Yes, she is coming back, but isn't it what I always do? | |
| Of course, oh, there is a half-eaten pizza in the oven. | |
| Nope, oyster cards are only for transport in London. | |
| I think Diego and I are the only smokers in the house. | |
| My friend noted here it is your wedding anniversary! | |
| I really don't know, but I believe it's more than 100 years old. | |
| I have two more lessons, I finish at three thirty. | |
| Does the kid think he is a robot or the robot think it's a kid? | |
| What kind of trick is that? | |
| That's not nice, Mike! | |
| Upstairs, there is Diego and a British couple next to him. | |
| Is it Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus? | |
| Is your father sick? | |
| I guess you need to change your cooking plan now! | |